Kindness begets kindness (15 Oct)

Blocktober champion Dixon Windross

By Rosalie Kingwill, researcher and Blocktober walker 

Dixon sweeping Blocktober walkers up the slopes of Devil's Peak

Watching 32-year-old Dixon Windross calmly walking and chatting with other walkers on a few of my Blocktober walks I was moved to find out more about his involvement with Blocktober after Lala told me he had literally participated on the Blocktober walks (and sometimes runs) every single day so far, and intended to keep that up to the end of the October challenge.

I was already filled with awe that Lala walks every single day, and to discover a young man doing this piqued my curiosity. He blends seamlessly and serenely among the predominantly older and female walkers and seems to be at ease with himself and the world. I already knew from previous chats that he is Malawian by birth and upbringing but now lives permanently in Cape Town. I also knew his first love is cycling, so why is he walking? So, I sat down in his lounge with him after he agreed to an informal interview.

Dixon was raised in Blantyre with kinship links to a rural village in Chewu district between Lilongwe and Blantyre, where he experienced urban and agrarian life.  While visiting his uncle and aunt in Cape Town in mid-2017 he landed a job as a gardener and soon became known as a reliable and responsible worker and one thing led to another, where he began working for a family in Gardens.

The joys of cycling

His dependability and integrity soon made him an indispensable part of the various family enterprises, but the life-changer was when his boss introduced him to the joys of cycling in the mountains around the City Bowl. He had never been interested in cycling but this opened him up to a whole new world.  He was fully kitted out and soon became acquainted with all the cycle routes in Cape Town. His journeys included hair-raising stints flying down the steep descents of many Cape Town roads.  With the encouragement of his employer, he entered the Cape Town Argus cycle tours, of which he has completed four.

As a nature lover, his first love is cycling on the mountain, attracted by the beauty and serenity of the natural environment on his doorstep. By then his employer had organised a rental for him in Vredehoek where he and his sister still live in a townhouse flat, with a view of the harbour. He now has permanent residence status in South Africa.

Cycling buddies Jean and Dixon

Then came Blocktober. In 2021 while cycling on the upper reaches of the mountain he had a flat tyre and was assisted by Dawie and Jean who were cycling the Blocktober challenge. They became firm friends and Blocktober became an annual part of his life. The awareness of gender-based violence and the group cycles (or walks and runs) for a common social purpose stirred his innate compassion, gentleness and kindness, features you pick up soon after meeting him. I remarked how easily he fits in with the other walkers (often the only male and younger person) and wondered if this was a family trait. He said his mother also fits in anywhere and with anyone. He added that he enjoys talking to older people as they have the ‘wisdom of experience’ to give him advice!

A very serious crash on his bike resulted in hospitalisation, and he was assisted by Dawie and Jean, further strengthening their bonds. His bike began to fall to pieces and after numerous attempts to fix it after various brushes with the pavement, he sold it and is saving for another. Hence, this year he is joining Blocktober on foot. But I was thrilled to spot him smiling happily last evening cycling up to the Blockhouse with Dawie on Lala’s bike!

For Dixon, the life-changing freedom he experienced on that gifted bicycle has made him yearn for work that gives him some leisure time to continue exploring the mountains and surrounds, so with the help of his now former employer, he has started a cleaning company called Mother City Cleaners (link) and employs two permanent and 13 hourly workers, while he does the management and administration; and is training up someone to help with that side, surviving a serious brush with a trusted helper who defrauded him.

 The lessons?

Firstly, was Dixon’s opening up to the wider world of exploration a result of serendipity, chance or luck? Not in my view! It has been a pure outcome of his shining integrity and willingness to work humbly with loyalty, perseverance and commitment. This instils great confidence and inspiration in the people in his life, work and leisure. But clearly the ongoing dedicated support and generosity of his employer and Blocktober riders are a lesson-within-a-lesson. With the right people, kindness begets kindness.

In his own words: “What I discovered is sometimes people just rush for the money, and do not build relationships first. Relationships are more important!” He repeated the fruits of relationship-building rather than grabbing money for consumption frequently during our chat.

Secondly, Blocktober is a lesson in meeting people from diverse backgrounds and motivations, people who have endured all sort of challenges and abuse and survived, and the lucky ones who have not been abused, all are there to provide networks of support. Many of the walkers are an inspiration to others. Dixon is an inspiration to me and many others! 

Dixon and his seedlings

Dixon’s five little apple tree seedlings surrounded by other thriving pot plants in his lounge (including a green bean plant) are a symbol of his endurance and attentiveness: he planted five apple pips and they are miraculous little trees in the making, which he wants to gift to others when they have grown.

Read other blogs in the series

October Walk Details in Cape Town

• Next Date: 16 October 6 pm
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 2 / 2.5hrs, 7.5km
• Tabelberg Rd route to Blockhouse: Click this PIN for starting point.
• Click here to join future walks.  
• Record your walk, run, cycle or swim in support of Blocktober on Strava.